Evolution

Question 1

What is evolution?

Answer 1

Evolution is change. Changes in morphology and behaviour between generations. It is NOT the changes that occur within a generation as that is DEVELOPMENT.

All living organisms relate as the biospheres link together.

Question 2

What does evolution resolve?

Hint: 4 things

Answer 2

1. The origin of complexity
2. Appearance of being designed
3. Adaptation
4. Patterns of decent

Question 3

What is the theory of evolution?

Hint: 4 things

Answer 3

1. Hypothesis (a vague idea)
2. Theory (slightly better than hypothesis)
3. Testing occurs
4. Law is formed (a grown-up theory)

Question 4

What does evolution also explain?

Answer 4

Note that evolution also explains the deep divisions between major biotic groups.

Question 5

What are some key complexity components in humans?

Answer 5

• Some 10 trillion living cells in all of DNA.
• Over 200 bones, muscles and ligaments.
• Huge area for gas exchange in the lungs.
• Brian.
• Kms of nerves.
• Acute sensory of organs.

Question 6

What did Charles Darwin say?

Answer 6

Complexity doesn’t arise by chance. It starts from something so simple that is could have arisen by chance, complexity is added gradually in a series of small steps.

Question 7

Does complexity arise chance?

Answer 7

No, it does not.

Question 8

What is needed to operate Natural Selection?

Hint: 3 things

Answer 8

1. Constant struggle for survival.
   Nature red in tooth and claw.
2. Variable population.
   Mutations/genetic mixing
3. Some mechanism for passing on beneficial changes to the next generation.
   Genes

Question 9

Does Natural Selection rely on chance?

Answer 9

No, it does not.

Question 10

When is the only time chance comes into the picture?

Answer 10

The only time chance comes into the picture is in the source of variation. But note that new species are NOT produced by the chance rearrangement of genes in a single generation.

Question 11

What are homologies?

Answer 11

Homologies are body parts which occupy a similar position and/or structure (but not necessarily in function) reflecting a common evolutionary ancestor.

Question 12

An example of a homology…

Answer 12

A panda’s thumb. Similar to humans (opposable).

Organisms (humans) have the same bones in the same place while teradactyls have one extra bone.

Elephants and humans have the same feet bones. Elephants just have extra padding.

Gas exchange systems, breathing, heat came from ancestral sharks. Seen in human and giraffes.

Question 13

What do homologies imply?

Answer 13

A common ancestor.

Question 14

What is Microevolution?

Answer 14

Microevolution is the accumulation of small scale changes WITHIN a species.

Question 15

What is macroevolutionary?

Answer 15

Macroevolutionary is the accumulation of small amounts of microevolutionary change = Formation of new species and the appearance of large groups such as families.

Question 16

Can extrapolating from Micro to Macro explain the while shape of the tree of life?

Answer 16

No.

Question 17

What is the rate at which species are going extinct?

Hint: has increased dramatically since the appearance of humans.

Answer 17

For all vertebrates:
Rate increase = 55 x pre-human

For all mammals = 53 x pre-human

For all amphibians = 100 x pre-human

Question 18

What are the three categories/labels for extinction

Answer 18

1. Extinct
2. Extinct in the wild
3. Threatened

Question 19

What is defaunation mean?

Answer 19

Defaunation is not a perfect word, but it is an all encompassing term that recognises that what’s happening now is more than just extinction.

We have a highly diverse biosphere supporting a fully functioning ecosystem.